News

LG unveils flagship V20 with Android Nougat and removable battery

Published

September 7, 2016

Marvin Velasco

You really have to hand it to LG for trying something different each time it releases a new flagship. Last year’s V10 delivered a rugged build with a pair of front-facing cameras and secondary LCD screen, while the more recent G5 introduced the world to partial modularity through its add-on Friends. Topping their innovations was going to be a challenge, but LG went ahead and added a second entry to the V-series with the V20.

There’s a lot to talk about with the V20, but going straight to the construction seems to be the obvious choice. The build is top-notch with a lightweight, shock-resistant aluminum body; however, a somewhat surprising omission is the partial modularity found in the G5. Rumors suggested compatibility with the same add-ons the G5 has. Instead, you can only press a button on the side to eject the back plate and swap the battery. You can barely call it innovative or modular, but considering the lack of user-replaceable batteries in flagship phones, this is something a lot of people will appreciate.

Another highlight is the inclusion of Android 7.0 Nougat as soon as you turn on the V20. Google’s Nexus devices had the privilege of being the first to have the latest Android version out of the box in recent years, so it’s a big deal for LG to earn the recognition. For consumers, this means you won’t have to wait in line to receive Android’s most complete OS to date, like on other handsets stuck on 6.0 Marshmallow or even 5.0 Lollipop. V20 users will probably also be ahead of the pack once the next Android flavor rolls out.

The rest of the signature features are carryovers from the two older flagships, including the same dual camera setup as the G5 (a 16-megapixel sensor with optical image stabilization combined with a wide-angle 8-megapixel shooter) and the V10’s secondary LCD screen (now at 2.2 inches) found above the main display, which is a 5.7-inch Quad HD panel. What’s extra special about the V20 is the 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC capabilities, to the delight of audiophiles everywhere. LG claims it can reduce up to 50 percent of ambient noise levels, on top of producing cleaner and crisper sounds than ordinary smartphones. Plus, you’ll be able to fit in lots of music with the 64GB of internal storage that’s expandable using a microSD card.

It’s a no-brainer that the V20 is filled to the brim with the very best internals, but let’s list the rest of them down anyway. There’s a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset to effortlessly process every task, 4GB of RAM to hold all the active apps together, and a 3,200mAh battery that can be recharged swiftly through Quick Charge 3.0. The usual fingerprint scanner is once again found at the back, right on top of the power button and below the rear camera.

The LG V20 will be available in the colors titan, pink, and silver. We’ll update this page once we find out the price and availability.

[irp posts=”7555″ name=”LG V20 review”]

Related Topics:Android 7.0 Android Nougat LG V20

News

Apple announces new special event for iPads

Scheduled for May 7

Published

April 24, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

The next Apple event is coming! Two weeks ahead of the big launch, the iPad maker has announced an upcoming event dedicated to the tablet.

As always, Apple has added a tagline to tease what’s coming for the brand. This time, it’s “Let loose.”

Now, you won’t get a lot of clues from something so vague. Thankfully, the graphic is much more telling. It features a hand clearly grasping an Apple Pencil. For sure, the event will focus on new iPads.

The special event will start on May 7, 10AM ET. Interested viewers can watch the event live.

There’s no confirmation what models are getting new faces for the event. However, rumors are swirling that we’re getting a new iPad Pro. We can likely expect a new Apple Pencil too, especially since the stylus is a main focus for the invite.

New iPhones are likely out, though. Apple usually holds the event for those later in the year. That leaves the Macs and the Vision Pro in the less-likely-but-still-possible realm.

That said, if you’re looking for new tablets, it’s time to wait a bit.

News

MediaTek eyes video generative AI for mobile, next-gen sat broadband, more

MediaTek sets its eyes on the future

Published

April 24, 2024

GadgetMatch

Without question, AI-powered features have been integral for smartphones nowadays. And although it’s still “limited” what users can do with AI on their phones, MediaTek is trying to bring more advanced capabilities to mobile devices. This, as the semiconductor company is eyeing video generative AI for mobile, as part of its goals for the near future.

A few months ago at MWC 2024, MediaTek showcased on-device generative AI video diffusion powered entirely by its Dimensity 9300 processor. This leading smartphone chip incorporates the world’s first hardware-based generative AI Engine with secure, personalized AI. It is capable of bandwidth reduction, LoRA Fusion, and 8X faster generative AI performance, compared to MediaTek’s preceding AI processor.

Sooner rather than later, users can perhaps elevate the short video-editing experience on their smartphones by leveraging video generative AI, something reserved for heavyweight devices and software programs for now.

World’s first 5G-advanced satellite broadband

Aside from video generative AI on mobile devices, MediaTek is working on improving connectivity across various technologies. For instance, the company is working on a 5G-NR-NTN satellite chip that can deliver broadband speeds of up to 100mbps. They are working with Rohde & Schwarz for this innovation. One industry that will surely benefit from this is the automotive industry, with MediaTek utilizing advanced LEO satellite support over the Ku-band.

New platforms for 5G IoT, wearables

Meanwhile, the newly-announced MediaTek T300 platform will make it easy for IoT designers to transition to 5G-NR especially for applications requiring ultra-efficient connectivity and long-lasting battery life. This includes wearables, lightweight AR devices, and always-connected IoT devices. MediaTek likewise demonstrated at MWC 2024 how it can achieve consistent low latency for AR and IoT devices. This was made possible by the company’s new RedCap RFSoC using the Keysight UXM5G Wireless Test Platform.

5G CPE for better performance

Moreover, MediaTek showcased its latest 5G CPE devices powered by the T830 platform. Using three transmission antennae (3TX) applicable across 5G NR band combinations, MediaTek eyes performance enhancements for Wi-Fi routers, promising low latency, low loss, and a significant reduction in network delay.

Auto industry collaborations

Earlier in the year, MediaTek also released AI-driven chipsets specifically for smart cars. This is another aspect the company wants to build on. Using OpenSynergy Hypervisor technology, MediaTek wants advanced safety-first features through a virtualized OS within the vehicle. Additionally, MediaTek and ACCESS Twine4Car are working together to develop richer multiscreen entertainment and interactive services. Of course, the former already has the Dimensity Auto smart cockpit and infotainment platforms working to provide highly capable processing.

These platforms can handle demanding processes. These include multiple operating systems, wireless connectivity feeds, and multiple concurrent video playbacks. It can even support advanced 3D graphics and generative AI for the driver and passengers in the vehicle, elevating the overall smart car experience.

Smart home IoT connectivity

Lastly, MediaTek is envisioning a “home gateway” concept which it calls “Ambient Computing.” This will allow users to manage their network of IoT devices in a better, faster, and more direct manner. This will be done by having the technology solve the indoor-outdoor network barrier through bypassing third-party networks.

In other words, users will be able to control everything from their mobile device, minus third-party services. And because multiple devices are working together, a user may technically use a PC to accelerate tasks on the smartphone — beyond what’s possible on a mobile chip. That extends the phone’s life considerably, too.

News

Xiaomi Redmi A3 Philippine pricing, availability

Budget smartphone with high refresh rate display

Published

April 23, 2024

GadgetMatch

Xiaomi is bringing high refresh rate displays to its budget line with the announcement of the Redmi A3. The latest addition to the entry-level Redmi line boasts of an expansive 6.71-inch HD+ display with up to a 90Hz refresh rate.

The Redmi A3 is available in Midnight Black, Star Blue, and Forest Green. The smartphone is priced at PhP 3,399 (3GB+64GB) and PhP 3,999 (4GB+128GB) respectively for its two configurations.

Customers may preorder the phone until April 27 via Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok. General sale begins April 26th in all Xiaomi stores nationwide. Freebies are a Basic Piston Earphone for online purchases and a 3-month Viu Premium subscription for in-store purchases.

The Redmi A3’s immersive screen allows users to consume various content in high-definition with better smoothness, a boost for a phone of its price point. The screen has Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection as well, and DC dimming to reduce blue light exposure.

The phone also sports a refined design that lets go of the iPhone-looking camera arrangement. Instead, the main camera is now in the middle as part of a watch face-looking setup similar to other Android phone offerings.

Speaking of, an 8MP main shooter highlights the back of the Redmi A3. In front is a 5MP front camera. The phone is powered by a MediaTek Helio G36 processor and runs on an Android 14-based OS. Furthermore, it has a 5,000mAh battery with 10W of USB-C charging.

Other handy Redmi A3 features for users to utilize include a 3.5mm jack, Face Unlock, and Fingerprint Unlock.